2. SIPAZ notes
San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas
January 3, 1998
Chiapas: A Step Away from the Point of No Return
Despite the massive presence of national security forces (State and federal
police and the Mexican Army) the recent massacre in the village of Acteal
that shocked Mexico and the entire world has marked just the beginning of a
new wave in the escalation of violence in Chiapas.
What we are seeing could be the final push for a "once-and-for-all"
neutralization of the Zapatistas.
In the last days of 1997 and the first days of 1998, several communities
thought to be sympathetic with the Zapatistas were subjected to intense
harassment. Although more than three thousand new troops have been
deployed in the municipality of Chenhalo, their presence appeared to be not
so much to investigate the massacre, but rather to occupy and control EZLN
territory.
On January 3, several conflicting press reports were released concerning
the Federal Army's "occupation" of the Zapatista stronghold, La Realidad.
In a press conference that evening, Gonzalo Ituarte, Secretary of the
National Mediation Commission, said the occupation of the civil resistance
center for several hours had been confirmed by several sources.
Considering the number of confrontations, overhead flights, and military
incursions into EZLN-held territory, it is clear that there has been a
systematic wave of misinformation that has added to the generalized
confusion and anxiety. It would appear, however, that if the rumors are
confirmed, the Mexican Army might be acting in violation of the "Law for
Dialogue for Reconciliation and Peace in Chiapas".
It is inconceivable that with the imposing police and military presence in
the area that violent acts continue to interfere with a proper
investigation of the massacre. It is unconscionable that a team from the
Network of NGOs and Human Rights Organizations offering legal aid and also
another group of peasants delivering humanitarian aid were blocked by
PRI-sympathizers from reaching the thousands of stranded, displaced
victims at Polho.
In Xoyep, witnesses reported that several refugees were beaten "on their
faces and feet" by the military following a civilian protest that occurred
when on January 2, a military detachment set up camp by the town water well.
Civic organizations have expressed concerns that the Seventh Regional
Division of the military intends to intensify patrols and search operations
in the "conflict area" (the Lacandon Jungle, the Northern Zone and the
Highlands) where the Zapatista bases are located. A military operation
against the Zapatistas is expected, similar to that which took place in
February 1995.
We ask that the national and international communities be aware of these
developments. Unimaginable atrocities could easily occur in these
"no-man's lands" that would only lead to more anguish and confusion. The
situation is most critical. The authorities must act responsibly and with
absolute clarity to avoid bringing the situation to a point of no return
that history will forever regret.
Given the tenuous situation, most probably we will be issuing an Urgent
Action requesting your intervention to urge that the conflicts of Chiapas
be resolved through dialogue and understanding.
The SIPAZ team
International Service for Peace (Servicio Internacional para la Paz or
SIPAZ) is a response from the international community to the shared sense
among many Mexican sectors that international opinion can contribute to the
search for peaceful solutions, through dialogue, to the conflict in Chiapas.
Contact information for SIPAZ:
SIPAZ Servicio Internacional para la Paz
Calle Dr. J. Felipe Flores, 38
Santa Lucia, San Cristóbal de las Casas
Chiapas, 29250, Mexico
Tel/Fax (967) 80381
E-mail sipaz@laneta.apc.org
http://www.nonviolence.org/sipaz
